The Honduran foundation Proniño (‘for the child’ in Spanish) was founded in 1999 by Betty and George Mealer, a Honduran couple that returned to their home country after thirty years in the United States. Since 2002 the organization has provided shelter for street children. Early 2010, ninety children and teenagers live there. About thirty others have returned to society.

The foundation for homes for the children to stay:
First contact with the children
Some children come to the foundation through a juvenile judge, some build up a bond with one of Proniño’s counselors on the streets, others just show up at the gate, looking for a sandwich, a bed, and some love.
Phase 1: Nueva Vida (A new Life)
In the first phase of the program, the children learn how to deal with structure and regularity. There are several activities and a sauna to rehabilitate from drugs, if necessary. Children stay there from 6 to 15 months, depending on their background and the pace at which they get used to a normal child’s life. This is a closed center.
Phase 2: Los Vencedores (The Winners)
Children live here when they have finished the first phase and they are between six and ten years old.  All of them go to school but there is a lot of room for games and sports too.
Phase 3: Amor y Paz (Love and Peace)
This home is for children aged eleven to fourteen.  They to go to school and receive motivational talks every day.  They learn to prepare for their future and to make choices in life.

Phase 4: Los Grandes Heroes (The Grand Heros)

This is where the boys live when they are fifteen to nineteen years old.  While they still go to school, the focus is on vocational training.  They are preparing for life on their own, with a job and a home!